ATLANTA (July 17, 2013) – The Georgia Cable Association (GCA) named Sen. Jack Murphy (R-Cumming) a 2013 Broadband Leader of the Year. As chairman of the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee, Sen. Murphy worked closely with the GCA on several legislative priorities during the 2013 Session.
“I’m honored to have helped increase connectivity across Georgia, which is a building block to providing opportunities for education and economic development for the state,” said Sen. Murphy. “Access to the Internet opens opportunities for learning and job searching and has become an integral part of our daily lives, which makes the Georgia Cable Association’s work vital to local community development.”
Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and President Pro Tempore David Shafer (D-Duluth) also received this distinction for their work to promote free market solutions to expanding broadband in Georgia. All the Broadband Leader recipients were instrumental in brokering a solution to a long standing issue over pole attachment contracts between cable operators and electric membership cooperatives.
Stephen Loftin, GCA Executive Director, said, “These gentlemen deserve to be applauded for their persistence in finding a solution to this issue. Finalizing these contracts will give the industry predictability on their rates which always improves business confidence in investment. That is good for consumers and promotes job growth.”
GCA, founded in 1968 in Dublin, Ga., represents an industry that has invested more than $3 billion, employs more than 5,550 and serves more than 1.4 million households in the state.
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
July 17, 2013
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Interim Director
Kate Greer, Broadcast Specialist
Kate.Greer@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028